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Timberwolves anxious for Jimmy Butler's return

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)

(KMSP) - The Timberwolves have registered a pedestrian 8-8 record in Jimmy Butler's absence, and while the team remains mum on when Butler will return to game action, we know he's getting much closer to doing so.

He was a full participant in practice today, but both Tom Thibodeau and Butler were non-committal when asked if Butler would suit up for the Timberwolves in their next game Thursday in Denver.

It will be a must-win game because the Nuggets are hot on Minnesota's heels for one of the final playoff spots in the west. The Timberwolves could really use Jimmy in that game, but there’s no word yet on when he'll play.

Butler told us it's been hard watching his team struggle, and he'll come back when he's ready. But, he desperately wants to be out there to help his team clinch a playoff birth.

“I say it probably every day, Nate [Robinson] used to say it all the time: ‘you got to risk it for the biscuit,’ and I'm ready to do that. I want to be in the playoffs. I want to continue to play…not saying that I'm the only reason we're going to make it, but I think chances are a little bit higher if I'm out there," he said.

"He's the athlete, he knows. He's been through this before, different situations. When he's ready to go, he'll go. You've been out that long, the knee feels great so that's probably the most important thing to work on - conditioning, timing and getting the contact again," Thibodeau said.